SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jeremiah Englehart had to wait a long time for his first Saratoga victory. Not so for Frankie Dettori.
The two horsemen were like little kids on Christmas morning Friday as Saratoga opened its 146th meeting under pristine conditions. Englehart, the 37-year-old trainer from upstate New York, and Dettori, the 43-year-old jockey based in England, both got the presents they wanted.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Oceanside winner Enterprising will have two or three starts at the Del Mar meeting, trainer Tom Proctor said on Friday. The $300,000 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Aug. 31 is a likely spot, but Proctor has not ruled out a start in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Aug. 9.
“We’ll see how he comes out of it,” Proctor said. “I could wheel him back in the La Jolla or wait.”
DEL MAR, Calif. – The new turf course at Del Mar, widened and resod over the winter, was used for three races on Thursday’s opening-day program.
The course played fast and produced quick times. Super Ability led throughout an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on turf to win in final time of 1:40.83. Enterprising closed from last of 11 to win the Oceanside Stakes, finishing the mile on turf in 1:33.89. Affrettando closed from 10th of 12 to win at 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.57.
Laurel Park-based trainer Phil Schoenthal has been trying to find out whether his Grade 2-winning 3-year-old Miss Behaviour can successfully race beyond six furlongs or if she is better off staying at that distance.
He had hoped to learn the answer in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park on June 29, but Miss Behaviour ended up chasing the lightning-fast Red Velvet early. Miss Behaviour was run down after making the lead in the stretch of the 6 1/2-furlong race and had to settle for second.
When Winter Games ($31) held off Goodnewsisnonews in Friday’s opener, it gave Jeremiah Englehart his first victory at Saratoga. He had previously gone winless with his first 58 starters.
Saratoga Snacks, the multiple stakes-winning New York-bred, was transferred by owner Bill Parcells from Gary Sciacca to Bill Mott. Parcells also placed an unraced younger full brother of Saratoga Snacks, Baby Snacks, with Mott.
Parcells and Sciacca have been friends for two decades, and Parcells politely declined to discuss why he moved the horse, saying only, “Everything will be fine. He’s been a good friend. I wish him well.”
DEL MAR, Calif. – For many reasons, jockey Rafael Bejarano was not eager to leave the winner’s circle after $32,000 claimer Affrettando prevailed by a nose in the 10th race on Thursday’s opening-day program.
In the moments after the winner’s circle ceremony, Bejarano was surrounded by several, let’s say, attractive well-wishers, all of whom wanted a cell phone photo. Bejarano was more than happy to oblige. He had waited for a moment like this for more than two months.
Trainer Manny Azpurua said Social Inclusion would ship to Monmouth Park on Tuesday to compete in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 27.
Social Inclusion worked four furlongs in 45.65 seconds Wednesday at Gulfstream. The 85-year-old Azpurua said Social Inclusion came out of his work well. He also proclaimed that his speedy 3-year-old is over the gate issues that plagued him earlier this year in the Wood Memorial and Preakness and forced him to school extensively at the gate prior to his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont.
David Jacobson has led the standings in New York primarily for his work with claimers, some of whom have turned into stakes runners. Now, he appears to be entering the 2-year-old market.
The sharp maiden winner Tizcano, who sold for $710,000 – the second-highest price at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton July sale – was sent to Jacobson this week. The horse was purchased by Rockingham Ranch. Tizcano, a son of Tiznow, is likely being pointed to the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10.
“I’m very excited, very appreciative Rockingham Ranch has confidence in me,” Jacobson said.
Purses will increase 10 percent at Gulfstream Park beginning Thursday, while trainers also will receive a $250 starter incentive to help offset the costs of workers’ compensation.
The purse increase is the result of the dates agreement between Gulfstream and Calder that eliminated the neighboring tracks’ head-to-head conflict, which had plagued south Florida racing for the past year. Since the agreement was signed, Gulfstream’s handle and field sizes have increased significantly.
